Qatar vs Switzerland lineups confirmed for World Cup 2026 Group B tonight at 10pm ET. Akram Afif leads Qatar, Granit Xhaka captains Switzerland. How to watch free, full team news and prediction.
Published: June 13, 2026 | Author: Hemim SK
The FIFA World Cup 2026 Day 3 is already delivering extraordinary football. Brazil vs Morocco — the most anticipated match of the group stage — kicks off tonight at 6pm ET at MetLife Stadium. But before that blockbuster arrives, Group B opens with one of the most intriguing matches of the day.
Qatar vs Switzerland. Tonight. 10pm ET. San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Qatar return to the World Cup stage for the first time since 2022 — when they became the first host nation ever eliminated in the group stage of their own tournament. Switzerland are the highest-ranked team in Group B and heavy favourites to advance. This match sets the tone for one of the most competitive smaller groups in the tournament.
The lineups are confirmed. Here is everything you need before tonight’s 10pm ET kickoff.
Qatar vs Switzerland — Match Facts
Date: Saturday June 13, 2026
Kickoff: 10pm ET / 3am BST (June 14) / 1am AST (June 14 — Qatar time) / 4am CET (June 14)
Venue: San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi’s Stadium), Santa Clara, California
Group: B
TV USA: Fox / Telemundo / FREE on Tubi
TV UK: BBC One / BBC iPlayer — free
TV Middle East: beIN Sports
TV Switzerland: SRF — free to air
TV Qatar: beIN Sports Qatar
How to Watch Qatar vs Switzerland FREE — Complete Guide
FREE in the USA:
Tubi — Qatar vs Switzerland streams completely FREE on Tubi tonight with no subscription and no credit card required. Go to tubi.tv or download the Tubi app on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV or any Samsung Smart TV. This is the easiest free option for any American fan tonight.
Fox — free with cable subscription or HD antenna. Fox is available free over the air on antenna in most major US cities.
Telemundo — Spanish language coverage, free with cable.
FREE in the UK:
BBC One — free to air at 3am BST on June 14. No subscription required.
BBC iPlayer — free live streaming of the BBC broadcast on any device.
FREE in the Middle East and Arab World:
beIN Sports Connect — available via subscription across the Arab world. Qatar and Switzerland both have passionate followings across the Gulf region. beIN Sports covers all 104 World Cup 2026 matches.
FREE in Switzerland:
SRF — Swiss public broadcaster. All Switzerland World Cup matches free to air. Available online via srf.ch.
FREE Worldwide:
FIFA+ — streams selected matches globally for free at plus.fifa.com where no local broadcast rights apply. Download the FIFA+ app on iOS or Android.
Paid streaming options:
Fubo (USA) — all 104 World Cup 2026 matches
DAZN (Canada) — all matches
DirecTV Stream, YouTube TV, Hulu Live TV — all include Fox
Confirmed Lineups
Qatar Starting XI — 4-3-3
Mahmud Abunada (goalkeeper)
Ayoub Al-Oui (right back)
Boualem Khoukhi (centre back)
Pedro Miguel (centre back)
Homam Ahmed (left back)
Issa Laye (midfield)
Ahmed Fathi (midfield)
Jassim Gaber (midfield)
Yusuf Abdurisag (right wing)
Akram Afif (left wing / number 10)
Edmilson Junior (striker)
Qatar coach: Julen Lopetegui
Injury news: No injury concerns — fully fit squad available
Switzerland Starting XI — 4-2-3-1
Gregor Kobel (goalkeeper)
Silvan Widmer (right back)
Manuel Akanji (centre back)
Nico Elvedi (centre back)
Ricardo Rodriguez (left back)
Granit Xhaka (defensive midfield — captain)
Remo Freuler (defensive midfield)
Ruben Vargas (right attacking mid)
Fabian Rieder (central attacking mid)
Dan Ndoye (left attacking mid)
Zeki Amdouni (striker)
Note: Breel Embolo was pushing for a start but Amdouni gets the nod tonight
Switzerland coach: Murat Yakin
Injury news: No injury concerns — fully fit squad available
Team News and Key Talking Points
Qatar — Can Afif Deliver on the World Cup Stage?
Qatar’s entire attacking system runs through one player — Akram Afif. The 27-year-old attacker who plays for Al Sadd in the Qatar Stars League is their most technically gifted player and their biggest creative threat. He was one of the best players at the 2023 Asia Cup and his ability to beat defenders one-on-one and deliver in the final third gives Qatar a genuine weapon that Switzerland must account for.
Manager Julen Lopetegui — the former Spain, Real Madrid and Wolverhampton Wanderers coach — has organised Qatar around a 4-3-3 system that gives Afif freedom to operate from the left and drift centrally. Edmilson Junior — a Brazilian-born naturalised Qatari striker — provides the physical presence in the penalty area.
Qatar’s biggest challenge tonight is not quality — it is mentality. After the 2022 disaster, these players carry the weight of a nation that was embarrassed on the world stage. Lopetegui’s job has been to rebuild that mentality. Tonight is the first real test.
Switzerland — Xhaka’s Leadership and Kobel’s Quality
Switzerland have two world-class players in their lineup tonight that give them a genuine advantage over Qatar in every area of the pitch.
Granit Xhaka — the Arsenal captain making his fourth consecutive World Cup appearance — is the heartbeat of Switzerland’s entire system. His ability to control tempo, dictate the press and deliver the kind of leadership that makes entire teams function better is exactly what Murat Yakin needs from his captain in the opening match.
Gregor Kobel — Borussia Dortmund’s first-choice goalkeeper and one of the best shot-stoppers in the Bundesliga — starts in goal. His distribution and shot-stopping quality gives Switzerland a level of security behind their defensive line that Qatar simply do not have at the other end.
Dan Ndoye brings pace and direct running down the left. Ruben Vargas provides width and creativity on the right. Zeki Amdouni leads the attack after beating Breel Embolo to the starting position.
Three Key Battles to Watch
Akram Afif vs Silvan Widmer
Afif’s movement from the left side will be Qatar’s primary attacking threat — he will look to run at Switzerland’s right-back Silvan Widmer and create space with his dribbling and change of pace. Widmer — who plays for Mainz in the Bundesliga — is an attacking-minded full-back who is more comfortable going forward than defending one-on-one. If Afif can isolate him in wide areas Qatar’s best attacking chances will come from that side.
Granit Xhaka vs Qatar’s Midfield Three
Xhaka’s control of the midfield against Qatar’s trio of Laye, Fathi and Gaber is the central battle of the match. If Xhaka has time and space to dictate the game Switzerland will control possession and territory throughout. If Qatar’s midfield three can press him aggressively and deny him time on the ball the match becomes much more competitive in midfield.
Gregor Kobel vs Edmilson Junior
Qatar’s striker Edmilson Junior will be fighting a one-man battle against one of the Bundesliga’s best goalkeepers. Kobel’s positioning, his command of crosses and his shot-stopping reflexes make him an almost impossible opponent for a striker who does not have regular service from creative midfielders. How much quality Afif can deliver into the box will determine whether Edmilson Junior gets meaningful chances.
Why This Match Matters More Than You Think
On the surface Qatar vs Switzerland looks straightforward — Switzerland are the highest-ranked team in Group B and heavy favourites. But this match has enormous consequences for every other team in the group.
A Switzerland win puts them in a commanding position to advance from Group B alongside Canada. A Qatar win or draw would shake the entire group standings and put pressure on both Switzerland and Canada in their remaining fixtures.
As covered in our World Cup 2026 Groups Ranked article, Group B is described as Canada’s most comfortable group draw. But a Qatar result tonight could immediately change that narrative.
Switzerland need three points to send a clear message about their intentions. Qatar need anything — a point, a performance, a moment — to show that 2022 was the start of something rather than the end of it.
Qatar’s Motivation — Redemption After 2022
As covered in our Qatar World Cup 2026 Schedule, the 2022 World Cup was a national trauma for Qatari football. Hosting the world’s greatest sporting event and being the first host nation eliminated in the group stage — finishing bottom of their group — was a humiliation that the entire country felt deeply.
In the four years since, Qatar’s football programme has invested heavily in squad development, youth academies and technical coaching. Julen Lopetegui — one of Europe’s most experienced managers — was specifically recruited to provide the tactical sophistication that 2022 lacked.
Tonight is the first real evidence of whether that investment has made a difference. Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. 10pm ET. Switzerland in the opening match. Qatar’s entire tournament narrative begins here.
Switzerland’s Ambition — Going Beyond the Round of 16
As covered in our Switzerland World Cup 2026 Schedule, Switzerland have appeared at four consecutive World Cups but have never gone beyond the Round of 16 in the modern era. Murat Yakin’s squad — led by Xhaka’s experience and the attacking talent of Amdouni and Ndoye — believes this is finally the tournament where Switzerland go further.
Starting with three points against Qatar tonight is the foundation. Win this match convincingly, beat Bosnia-Herzegovina in the second fixture and Switzerland arrive at the Canada match in a position of strength. That is the plan.
World Cup 2026 Day 3 — Full Schedule Tonight
3pm ET — Qatar vs Switzerland is the THIRD match of Day 3
Other Day 3 matches:
3pm ET — Qatar vs Switzerland — Group B
6pm ET — Brazil vs Morocco — Group C — MetLife Stadium — THE BIG ONE
9pm ET — Haiti vs Scotland — Group C — Gillette Stadium, Boston
Make sure you are watching Brazil vs Morocco at 6pm ET — it is the most anticipated group stage match of the tournament. The 2022 quarter-final rematch. Read our full Day 3 preview for everything you need.
Prediction
Switzerland to win. Their quality throughout the squad — Xhaka’s leadership, Kobel’s goalkeeping and Ndoye’s pace — is significantly higher than Qatar can match consistently over 90 minutes. But Qatar under Lopetegui are better organised than they were in 2022 and Afif gives them the kind of individual quality that can produce a goal in any match.
Qatar will be motivated by the memory of 2022. They will press hard in the first 20 minutes and try to force an early mistake. Switzerland must weather that opening period and then use their superior technical quality to control the second half.
Prediction: Switzerland 2-0 Qatar
Xhaka to control the midfield. Amdouni to score. Kobel to keep a clean sheet. Qatar to push in the first half but Switzerland’s quality tells after the break.
Group B Standings Before This Match
1. Canada — 1 point (drew 1-1 with Bosnia-Herzegovina)
2. Bosnia-Herzegovina — 1 point (drew 1-1 with Canada)
3. Switzerland — 0 points (yet to play)
4. Qatar — 0 points (yet to play)
After this match Switzerland will either go top with 3 points or draw level with Canada and Bosnia on 1 point.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is Qatar vs Switzerland at World Cup 2026?
Qatar vs Switzerland kicks off at 10pm Eastern Time on Saturday June 13. That is 3am British Summer Time on June 14, 1am Arabian Standard Time on June 14 and 4am Central European Time. At Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
How can I watch Qatar vs Switzerland for free?
In the USA: Tubi streams Qatar vs Switzerland for FREE with no subscription required. Also on Fox in English and Telemundo in Spanish with cable. In the UK: BBC One and BBC iPlayer, free to air. In Switzerland: SRF free to air. In the Middle East: beIN Sports. Worldwide: FIFA+ app where local rights allow.
Is Qatar vs Switzerland on Tubi for free?
Yes — Qatar vs Switzerland is available to stream for FREE on Tubi in the United States. No subscription or credit card needed. Available on tubi.tv and the Tubi app on every device.
What is Qatar’s lineup vs Switzerland?
Qatar predicted starting XI: Mahmud Abunada (GK); Ayoub Al-Oui, Boualem Khoukhi, Pedro Miguel, Homam Ahmed (defence); Issa Laye, Ahmed Fathi, Jassim Gaber (midfield); Yusuf Abdurisag, Akram Afif, Edmilson Junior (attack).
What is Switzerland’s lineup vs Qatar?
Switzerland predicted starting XI: Gregor Kobel (GK); Silvan Widmer, Manuel Akanji, Nico Elvedi, Ricardo Rodriguez (defence); Granit Xhaka, Remo Freuler (midfield); Ruben Vargas, Fabian Rieder, Dan Ndoye (attacking mid); Zeki Amdouni (striker).
Who is Qatar’s best player against Switzerland?
Akram Afif — Qatar’s most creative and technically gifted player — is their biggest threat against Switzerland. The Al Sadd attacker has the individual quality to cause problems for any defence and his performance tonight will largely determine how competitive Qatar are in this match.
Who is Switzerland’s captain at World Cup 2026?
Granit Xhaka — the Arsenal midfielder — is Switzerland’s captain at the 2026 World Cup. This is his fourth consecutive World Cup and he is Switzerland’s most important and most experienced player.
Did Qatar play at the 2022 World Cup?
Yes. Qatar hosted and played at the 2022 FIFA World Cup — becoming the first Arab and Middle Eastern nation to host the tournament. However they also became the first host nation in World Cup history to be eliminated in the group stage, finishing bottom of Group A.
What group are Qatar and Switzerland in at World Cup 2026?
Qatar and Switzerland are both in Group B alongside Canada and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Canada drew 1-1 with Bosnia-Herzegovina in the first Group B match earlier today.
Where is Qatar vs Switzerland being played?
Qatar vs Switzerland is played at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium — known as Levi’s Stadium during normal NFL season — in Santa Clara, California. It is home to the San Francisco 49ers and holds approximately 68,500 fans.
Conclusion
Qatar vs Switzerland. Tonight. 10pm ET. Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
Qatar seek redemption after the humiliation of 2022. Switzerland seek the decisive start their tournament ambitions demand. Akram Afif vs Granit Xhaka. Lopetegui vs Yakin. A group that could go in any direction based on tonight’s result.
Watch free on Tubi. Watch free on Fox. Watch free on BBC iPlayer in the UK.
But first — do not miss Brazil vs Morocco at 6pm ET at MetLife Stadium. The 2022 quarter-final rematch. The biggest match of Day 3. Do not go anywhere
Read next: Brazil vs Morocco — Lineup, Preview and Prediction — World Cup 2026 Day 3
Related: World Cup 2026 TV Schedule — How to Watch Every Match Free Worldwide
Related: Canada 1-1 Bosnia-Herzegovina — Day 2 Match Report
Will Switzerland cruise past Qatar or can Afif inspire a famous upset tonight — and what result do you predict? Tell us in the comments below
